Northern San Juan
AvalancheJeff Davis Ann Mellick · Jan 22, 2019 · Northern San Juan
Weather
Cold, windy, and cloudy for most of the tour. Light snow fell in the morning hours, but stopped early afternoon. Clouds cleared, but northerly winds continued.
Snowpack
Strong northerly winds drifted available snow onto leeward slopes at all elevations. Stiff surface slabs continue to develop in exposed area. Cracking observed on the surface, but isolated to around the skis. The snowpack below-treeline continues to gain depth. The snow from early January has created a stiff one finger slab in the middle of the snowpack, but sits above well-developed 4-6mm depth hoar and facets. Though the mid-pack is gaining strength and depth weak layers are still under a meter from the surface below-treeline. We continue to avoid steep open slopes at all elevations. Recent winds have effected the snow in all but heavily timbered areas.
Avalanche
A few natural avalanches were observed when the sky cleared.